Vivienne Westwood Melissa Shoes - Recyclable and Vegan

Whether you are looking for a pair of stylish vegan shoes or want to minimise your impact on the environment, then Melissa shoes are for you. One of the hottest names in shoes at the moment Melissa shoes are eco fashion, they just don't look like it! Made in a socially and environmentally factory in Brazil where waste and water is recycled as much as possible they are also made of both recycled and recyclable plastic. With Vivienne Westwood also collaborating for a high fashion collection, they are a must for any fashionista vegan or not.

Melissa Vivienne Westwood Croco Mary Jane

These very stylish shoes are the perfect footwear for almost any of the seasons lady like trends. Try wearing with a fifties style dress or pencil skirt. 

Melissa Vivienne Westwood Three Strap Heel Shoes

These shoes are a great choice for wearing with a party dress or little black dress for the Christmas Party season.  

Melissa Vivienne Westwood Glitter Booties With Studs

Not only are these booties a great way to wear the military trend for the festive season but they are also a very stylish alternative to welly boots for wet weather.

Katy Perry Fashion

Katy's style is definitely unique. Her sense of fashion always adds fun to the red carpet, and with a fabulous figure to show it off.
Everybody has something to say about Perry's outfit's, for good reason there absolutely stunning.
Most of Katy's outfits come from two labels, Jeremy Scott and New York couture.

Here is Katy at the 2010 MTV EMA, wearing a red and black sequined red ticket dress by Jeremy Scott.
Teamed with blue slingbacks.

Katy Perry rocked a wardrobe of clothes from New York Couture on her 2009 tour.

New york couture grey elephant tank top.

and below a picture of Katy in a New york couture panda dress, how cute!

Katy has adopted a very cute vintage look,she adds her own unique stamp on each colourful outfit,vivid colours and cute Alice bands or bows for the hair.



From polka dots madness to ever so lady pin up looks,to feminine sequin dresses Katy has defiantly set her own trend.
Katy is daring, and isn't afraid to wear something that little bit different, something that's not out there. I admire her for that, as sometimes everyone following the same fashion trends can get a little bit boring. Especially if you a celebrity, you want to set your own trade mark, if you have the cash why not? I certainly would.
Lady gaga is another celeb who has that extraordinary fashion taste, but I find she takes her self to seriously, Katy is more vivid colours, lady gaga likes to wear diet coke rollers in her hair, enough said.
I am looking forward to seeing future video's and red carpet photos of Katy.

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Preparing for Winter in Cold Climates

As much as we moan in the UK about our cold winters, we actually have it pretty good. Our winters just need a few snuggly jumpers, a couple of pairs of leggings, some cute warm accessories and a great pair of winter boots. Other places don’t have it quite so good. I’m spending a year in Duluth, Minnesota where winters can drop down to minus 30 degrees.  The ground has been snow-covered for a couple of weeks now and the days when we were still in positive Celsius are a faded memory. A few warm jumpers and a good coat will no longer cut it, even for my 5 minute walk to campus.

Keeping warm for a bitterly cold winter is hard. It’s one of the few occasions where practicality has to come before style.  My general rule has been to dress as stylishly as possible underneath, but load up on warm layers and accessories over the top. Underneath I am still wearing my usual, British winter wardrobe- my usual summery skirts paired with thick tights and warm jumpers, and cardigans over my dresses. I layer long-sleeved and thermals tops underneath everything and wear two pairs of tights instead of one.

One thing I have been taught is to get a warm weather jacket or even a ladies ski jacket. The Adidas Stella McCartney Ski Wear range is particularly stylich.  They aren’t necessarily the cutest jackets in the world, but they are the number one thing to have in a cold climate. They keep out the cold and wind  much better than a regular coat. Have a look in sports shops or outdoor clothing shops for something extra warm.

If the climate is especially snowy, it could be worth investing in a pair of snow boots. Look for ones that are not only warm and cosy inside, but that have good grips on the bottom and a thick, waterproof sole. These will be the best for cold, snowy weather.

Finally, stock up on warm winter accessories. Upgrade from soft wool gloves to thick, waterproof mittens and from thin cotton socks to thick wool ones. Then stock up on the usual winter pieces; hats (did you know 90% of body heat escapes through your head?!), scarves and if you don’t have a hood on your jacket, maybe a pair of earmuffs. Then make sure you have lots of layers on underneath your jacket- layer over with chunky knits and under with thermal tops and long, warm underneath. Warm underwear is discreet and often cheap, and can be worn under jeans and even leggings.

When the weather starts getting cold and snowy, try to spend as little time outside as possible. You don’t have to sacrifice style completely to keep warm during a cold winter; just layer as much as you can under and over- many thin layers are warmer than thick ones,  and get inside quickly so you can show off your style underneath!!

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Vintage Fashion for Women

Vintage fashion refers to styles which have been recycled from previous eras, and there are vintage outfits to suit any interests, from the 20's through to the 80's. Vintage has seen a major revival over the last few years, and is a trend which will keep your style unique and timeless. Many of the recent catwalk shows have showcased vintage trends, with top designers creating wondrous replica designs.

Some tips to remember before you go looking for any vintage items of clothing, is to consider what exactly you are looking for. Are you interested in a classic piece from the 1920's, or maybe the hippy style from the 1960's is more up your street. You also want to think about why you are buying your vintage clothing, whether it be for a special occasion or just for the sake of collecting a unique piece of clothing. Knowing exactly what you want is half the battle to finding the perfect vintage outfit, and there are looks to cater for all needs.

The next thing to think about is where you are going to find your vintage clothing. As vintage has become so popular lately, you will often find a lot of niche vintage markets, where you can pick up a piece of unique clothing at an inexpensive price. There are many shops on the high street which also have a collection of vintage pieces, although you may have to pay a bit extra for these.

When shopping for vintage, you really have to be patient, as it may take some time before you find the perfect item, and it can be a lot more complex than the clothes shopping you are used to. The beauty of vintage clothing is that it is a trend which is timelessly fashionable. The fabrics and patterns are unique, so have a good feel of these in order to determine which clothes will make you feel most comfortable.
Always try the clothing on before you purchase it and be aware of it's condition. It can range from being in mint condition (just like new) or good condition (some repairs needed.) If you feel a bit weary of trying second hand vintage clothes on, then wear your other clothes under it, to get a feel of what it looks like and if it suits you. It may also be an idea to take someone along with you when you're out shopping for your vintage clothes. As long as it's someone who will give you an honest opinion. If you are working from a tight budget, then it's a good idea to look at replica designs, as these are usually a lot more affordable.

Current fashion trends tend to mix up vintage with a more modern look, which will streamline your look, and make it more wearable for all different occasions. You may want to wear vintage with a popular key trend for the season, as this will keep you looking stylish, but will also give your look a unique edge.

Shop vintage fashion London
Shop vintage London

Fashion Jewelry For The Party Season

With Christmas only just over a month away (yes really) you might just have started putting a little thought into your party dress or outfit. If not don't worry, there is no reason why you can't wear that classic little black dress again this year. My favourite way to update a LBD is to add some very sparkly fashion jewelry and of course a great pair of heels.

A great way to jazz up a simple high necked black dress is with some chandeler earrings. I like to wear my hair in a glamorous up do to show the earring off to the maximum. I love the intricate design and sparkly colours of these Coralia Leets chandelier earrings from The Franklin Mint. Coralia Leets pieces are loved by many A list celebrities.

Another great way to accessorise a party dress is with a statement necklace. A sparkly and shiny design is perfect for Christmas. I love this Pinchandra Moon Link Necklace also from the Franklin Mint.

Finally for a strapless dress or one with a V neck this Pinchandra Cleo Bib necklace would look stunning. It is made of tiny moon shapes joined together with accents of Cubic Zirconium.

Christmas Wish List

When I was four the only thing I wanted for Christmas was the latest barbie doll.
When I was eight, I wanted a 'girls world',I was so into styling every ones hair!
When I was eighteen, an I pod was on the top of my Christmas list.
Now at 21 all that is on my Christmas wish list is; Clothes and jewelry!
Needless to say I am growing up.

Fashion is a big part of my life now, and every birthday and Christmas I always ask for clothes, or money to buy clothes!
Here's some inspiration for your wish list's, I am sure you already know what you want, but these gorgeous items are too hard to resist.

Vivienne westwood shoes. These printed court shoes are gorgeous. I always love a pair of new shoes for Christmas. They always have to stand out too, be that little bit more special then any other shoe I had bought that year. You can buy these from urban outfitters.

Diamond earrings. Pretty, simple and they sparkle, need I say any more.

A stunning watch.

A handbag, that will be my staple for the following year, I like to ask for a hand bag that will see me through the year.

New sexy lingerie

A pretty dress, that can be worn on christmas day.

A new top, that would be great to wear for a new years eve party.

A Pandora bracelet.
Pandora charm bracelets are very popular. They are extremely unique, you buy a basic Pandora bracelet, and add each charm that represents you or takes your fancy, You can collect them or receive them for special occasions off loved ones. There are so many different charms, your spoilt for choice.

What is on your Christmas wish list this year?


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Colleen Rooney designs her first line for Littlewoods

Gone are the days when Colleen Rooney's style was defined by her Juicy Couture tracksuit and Uggs. Over the past few years our favourite WAG has gone from chavette to ladylike and glamorous, and has now designed a capsule range for Littlewoods. Colleen has been the face of the online store earlier this year, but has now designed a 25-piece collection, due to be released just in time for New Years Eve.

The collection is mainly dresses, with Colleen's signature style; baby dolls with cinched in waists, worn with sophisticated bee-hives and girly heels. There are three Little Black Dresses in the collection, and Colleen wore one of these to the launch, held at Claridges Hotel. Her favourite piece, however, is the coral shift dress with the beaded neckline.

All of the evening dresses in the collection would be perfect for a New Year's or birthday party, but she has also designed a range of her signature floral maxi dresses, perfect for the summer with a pair of gladiator sandals and a denim jacket.

Colleen said "I tried to design for everyone."

The collection also includes a range of jeans and day tops, perfect for casual  nights out or simple day-wear.  The collection is available from 29th December, in sizes 8-24, and is priced from £25- £180, available exclusively at Littlewoods.

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Celeb fashion- Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad inspires me, her sense for fashion has always caught my eye, I would sit watching the hills, lusting over her outfits.LC is my style icon,and I am sure many other girls are with me.
She has a cute look- but always sexy and stylish.

Your favorite white T-shirt
From something as simple as a white T-shirt Lauren can dress it up or dress it down, she always likes to wear her T-shirts light weight and a bit slouchy.

Skinny Jeans
Lauren is a massive fan of skinny jeans,she says "they are the most versatile item in her closet". I have to agree, I love this trend, white skinnies for summer, black/ dark wash for autumn winter are a staple in my wardrobe.
Skinny Jeans are a massive hit with most men and women.


A mini black dress
“You can’t go wrong with the little black dress. So many options out there for everybody type,”LC tells us, and it is true, a mini black dress teamed with a pair of gorgeous shoes can make a perfect evening meal outfit or even a party, just add the sparkles!

Maxi dresses.
A massive summer 2010 trend, Lauren Conrad was a massive fan,In a number on photos I found LC rocking a maxi dress every colour looked fabulous on her. Especially this orange maxi dress, that shows off her gorgeous tan and blonde locks.

Lauren has her own clothing line at kohls which you can find here: http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/ourbrands/lclaurenconrad.jsp

Lauren also has a new style book (published 14/10/2010) where she has pieced all her fashion tips favorites, doe's and don'ts. A must buy for all you LC fans!

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Forever 21 Finally Opens in the UK

A few weeks ago I finally achieved one of my goals of my year in America; go to Forever 21.
I'd seen their clothes online and on fashion blogs and I couldn't wait to visit the store.
It was just as fabulous as I expected.
I left two-hours later and $200 worse off.
The first store in the UK opened yesterday in Birmingham's Bull Ring (fantastic for me as I go to University in Birmingham) and the store has been described as "America's answer to Top Shop." I have to argue that this is not quite the case. Forever 21 is a kind of hybrid between Primark and New Look- the prices as cheap, the quality is okay and the stock is frequently changing but bang on trend.
There have been some arguments over the slight increase in price between the US and the UK, but who is going to argue against paying £15 for a skirt, or £40 for a leather jacket?

Forever 21 has over 450 stores worldwide, an has plans to open stores in London, Belgium, France, Spain and Austria over the coming years. The store focuses on fast-fashion and imitating catwalks looks for less. And the sure sign of their imitations? The number of lawsuits against them for plagiarism. Anna Sui and Dianne Von Frustenberg are among the designers who have sued the company for produce items a little too similar to their designs. For most, this just means the company are series about their clothes.

The launch was fronted by model Yasmin la Bon, the ideal face of a fresh and exciting new brand for the UK.

The launch of Forever 21 here in the UK will prove interesting. The clothes have that catwalk appeal without the prices of TopShop and Urban Outfitters, but are better quality than shops like Primark. There will definitely be competition on the high street now Forever 21 is a contender.  In Birmingham, it is the biggest store after Selfridges and Debenhams.

Here are my top picks of bang-on-trend pieces for under the price of a round of drinks...

This drapey, floral dress would be perfect with tights and boots for a cosy autumn look.

These boots tick the boxes of so many trends- shearling, hiking boots and lace up.They look straight from the Burberry catwalk, all for under £30.

This chunky fairisle knit is bound to get your noticed; wear with a high waisted skirt and boots for winter chic.

And of course, every girl needs a fantastic faux fur coat!!

Are you excited about Forever 21 launching in the UK?

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Autumn/winter 10 working girl trend.

Smart, casual, sexy, is what comes to mind when seeing the working girl trends for autumn/winter 2010.
The focus is on the jackets.

A blazer is a staple in the winter wardrobe this year, and we are spoilt for choice on how many styles there are.

For the working ladies, you want to be fashionable even though you need to be smart its important not to go over the top with accessories. Obviously each work requirements are different, and you can get away with one out fit for one company and others are just too strict.

The trend I am sharing with you today is very smart and looks extremely stylish.

A smart grey/black blazer combined with black tailored trousers,white or grey shirt with a tight fitted sweater, or cardigan, finished off with some black peep toe boots.

Outdoor wear..

A grey or beige trench coat is ideal for work.I would wear either of these coats on casual days too.

If your work is not too strict on the uniform rules why not opt for a light leather jacket,navy tailored trousers, a cream baggy top and black peep toe heels.

I found these outfits on mango, a store I love, they are unique and always have great pieces in for each trend/season, be sure to check them out, and I am sure they will appear in more of my posts.

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Lanvin for H&M

The much-anticipated Lanvin for H&M new fashion range was finally unveiled worldwide this week. Collection has been available to preview online since November 2, but was finally released in 200 stores on the 23^rd November. The collaboration, which was announced back in September, follows collaborations with Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo and Matthew Williamson.

Lanvin is today one of the oldest fashion houses still in operation, beginning back in 1909. Jeanne Lanvin was one of the most influential designers in the 1920s and 30s and in 2001 appointed Moroccan-born Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz as the company's artistic director.

The collection is made up of 48 pieces, with dresses starting from £99.99 up to £149.99, and also features tops, shoes, bags and menswear pieces, such as tuxedos and tracksuit bottoms.

Many have debated the prices of the pieces- they may be H&M but they are certainly not H&M prices, but the pieces “ bring to H&M a luxurious French tradition that is also modern and playful”, according to H&M. Elbaz was keen to point out that this collection does not show that Lanvin are “down-grading” or selling out, but just opening the label up to a new market, “ H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less.”

The stand-out piece of the collection is the bright-yellow, one-shouldered dress, priced at £99.99, and shown on the video for the collection worn by three generations of women; a daughter, a mother and a grandmother. Elbaz explains in the video his purpose was to be more “demoncratic” in who his pieces are designed for.

The dresses are beautiful. They have a designer edge; the Lanvin detail of bows and corsages and girly touches, but they don't have the designer price tag. With the Christmas period starting to approach, £100 does not seem extravagant for a party dress. If you can get your hands on one!!

The shoes are adorned with ribbons, all the pieces are beautifully feminine, with ruffles and womanly silhouettes. For me, it is definitely these dresses that stand out as a work of art; a piece you'd want to admire rather than wear. But the accessories are also beautiful and affordable; leather gloves with bow detail, the adorable leopard print clutch and my personal favourite piece, the white tshirt with a tulle trim, featuring a pair of long, fishnetted legs, all coming in at only £29.99.

For me, I adore these colloborations. I've mentioned before my Mulberry for Target bag for only $50- when will I ever own a piece of Mulberry for that price? The same goes for Lanvin. Priecy, yes, but worth it, oh yes, yes yes!!

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5 Considerations When Shopping For Ethical Fashion

If you have made the decision to live a more sustainable lifestyle and to only buy products that are considered ethical then fashion is likely to be something that will have though about. There is plenty of evidence of practices in the fashion industry that are damaging to both the environment and people involved but what is ethical fashion and what do we need to consider when shopping for ethical fashion?


Ethical fashion is a term that can be used to describe any clothing that is produced and distributed in a way that is more ethical than conventional clothing. This can include any or all of the following:- organic or sustainable fabrics, made in an ethical factory, Fairtrade, a proportion of the companies profits donated to charity, made by co operatives, made from recycled materials. As the term ‘ethical fashion’ encompasses so many different aspects, it can sometimes be difficult to work out exactly what is ethical.

1. Environmental Impact

If you want to minimise the impact that your clothing has on the environment, you can do so buy buying second hand or clothes made from organic or sustainable fibres. The cultivation of conventional cotton uses a large amount of pesticides which are both damaging to the environment and can contaminate water supplies. The growth of cotton using pesticides is also not sustainable and farmers become trapped in a cycle of using more and more pesticides to combat the resistance that the pests develop. Other environmental considerations when buying clothes are the carbon footprint or amount of CO2 emissions associated with their production and whether they are made from natural fibres and so biodegradable after their natural life. You could also look for ethical shoes as the process of tanning leather is also damaging to the environment.

2. A Fair Deal For Everyone

Buying ethical fashion is partly about ensuring that everyone in the supply chain gets fair remuneration. This is particularly important for the growers of cotton and the most well known and established scheme for ensuring this is Fairtrade. There are also a number of other schemes and co operatives that ensure that those involved in the manufacture of clothing get a fair deal.
Buying quality clothes to last is not only the most sustainable way to shop but also allows you to pay a reasonable price for a piece of clothing which can then be passed on to those in the supply chain.

3. Manufacture

The factories that clothing is manufactured in are often dirty, dangerous and uncomfortable for workers. Some employ child labour, some treat their staff very badly not allowing them basic human rights and some pay less than a living wage. In particular leather tanning uses some very toxic chemicals that can be damaging to the workers as can the glue used to make shoes. Often ethical shies are made using vegetable tanned leather or other natural materials. Some companies provide information on the standards in the factories where their clothes are produced so that you can be sure that staff are treated ethically.

4. Overall ethical policies of a company

Whilst some companies may sell clothing that is ethical in one way or another, for some people this is not enough. It is worth considering whether you want to buy ethical fashion from a company, which makes the majority of its money selling non ethical goods. Many companies will have strict ethical policies covering all areas of their business and may even include donating a proportion of their turnover to charity.

5. Watch out for green washing

Green washing is the term used to describe unsubstantiated claims about eco or ethical credentials of their products, by companies for the purpose of marketing. The only way to avoid green wash is to look for further information. Some time the labels or packaging on ethical shoes or clothing will give further information. If not the website is a good place to look. Look for standards and certifications which prove their claims and the companies overall ethical policy.

When shopping for ethical fashion, you need to decide what is important to you. The type of ethical shoes or clothing that you buy will very much depend on what you are looking to achieve. By buying Fairtrade, you can ensure that your purchase in benefiting people in another country, by buying clothes manufactured locally, you are helping the local economy and it is easier to check that staff in the factories are treated well. Which ever type of ethical clothing, you choose to buy; any small steps that you can take will have some benefit.

Winter essentials

Winter is fast approaching, and we're all getting ready to wrap up warm, although if I am being honest it feels like winter already! winter essentials for me include a big warm jacket,gloves/mittens,scarf/snood and boots.
Like every winter I go on the search for the cutest essentials.

First hats, whether you be a beanie kind of girl or you like a simple 'pom hat' there are some lovely items out on the market this winter. I prefer beanie hats,below are two which are in pink and chocolate, they are on my wish list this year.How cute is the hat with bar ears? aw!

Top row- Republic
Bottom row- Miss Selfridge

Scarves/Snoods
This year snoods are a must have,personally I prefer them to scarves as you do not have the hassle of tieing them up, you just sit them promptly over your head.
I have also came across a hooded scarf, which is very clever, would you wear one?

Top row- Republic
Bottom row- Miss Selfridge

Gloves/mittens
I have a new pair every winter, I drift from mittens to gloves to two-way mitten gloves, I remember back at school there was a huge phase where everyone wanted gap two way mittens! another clever invention,I love mittens but there annoying when you have to take them off to pick something up like money when paying for something.
I have chosen a range for everyone taste,what do you like to wear?

Top row- Dorothy Perkins
Bottom row- Urban outfitters

Boots
Finally boots, when it comes to winter boots, you have to make sure they can handle rain, snow,and of course keep your feet super warm. I opt for uggs,they are super comfortable, but they are not ideal for snow or rain.

Below are a few boots that i feel, are suitable for winter time. Hunters are a massive hit with celebrities, they are pricey,but they also come in great styles for us fashion lovers.

Urban outfitters

Ski wear is a big trend this year. Check out Adidas Stella McCartney ski wear and ladies Salopettes for some really on trend pieces. 

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